Wednesday 13 November 2013

LIGHTSHIP CORMORANT / LADY DIXON - Chapter 15



Great excitement today – the Postman arrived with a large envelope from the National Archives. At last! But I did not find the plans I was expecting. There was a written description of the intended layout and much discussion about whether the officers and engineers could use the lavatories amidships, but no plans.
Leaping onto my computer I began to write an e-mail to the National Archives, but was interrupted by another ring on the door bell. The Postman had returned with a parcel he had overlooked – a large postal tube from the National Archives. Yes, inside were two blueprints, plan and side elevation of the Cormorant (now called Lady Dixon). So cancel the e-mail. 
 

These plans will take some time to study of course. First impressions –
The plans are annotated in pen and ink and rubber stamped. These annotations are very clear, almost as if they had been added yesterday, not 70 years ago.
There is an Aga stove indicated in the galley. Is that the one I mentioned in an earlier post?  In which case Simon cannot dispose of this historic artifact!
 
The Captain seems to have as much living space as the rest of the crew put together! 
The light is definitely fixed, with an exterior ladder for access. As there is no mention of alterations to this mast, I must assume that the Cormorant was updated sometime earlier from the original  'hoistable' lamp to a fixed lamp as seen here.
There is a ‘Diaphone Turret’ next to the main mast.
I may have solved the question of the difference in the shape of the stern between the Belfast Pilot Station photo and Simon’s ship  – a ‘boat platform’ has been added.

There is much to discover, but I will have to leave the rest for another day!
David

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